Mamelodi Sundowns flexed their muscles in an impressive 5-0 win over Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday night.
As the referee blew the first half whistle, the game got off to a relatively slow start. While Sundowns looked to assert themselves from a possession point of view, Martizburg were reduced to soaking up the pressure.
After 15 minutes, Downs saw most of the ball and patiently looked to find holes in the Team of Choice defence. In setting up a low block, Maritzburg attempted to hit the Brazilians on the break however the reigning league champions did well to nullify the home team’s attacking moves.
Much like that of Maritzburg, Sundowns had a transition moment of their own as Hashim Domingo led his side in a swift attacking move just shy of the 20 minute mark, however the Brazilians were unable to make the most of the chance created.
The Tshwane giants took the lead in the 26th minute following an efficient attacking move that saw Marcelo Allende and Thapelo Morena linking up going forward. Following a cut back pass into the danger area, Hashim Domingo found himself in the right place as he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Sundowns doubled their lead two minutes later, as Morena capped off a well-constructed passing move inside the home team’s penalty area. After recording a goal and an assist in quick succession, Morena found plenty of room down the right-hand flank.
After 30 minutes on the clock, Maritzburg had no reply to Sundowns quality in and out of possession. Unable to settle on the ball, Sundowns dominated and actively searched for another goal. The pressure paid off yet again, as Cassius Mailula got his name on the scoresheet just before the break.
In recording another assist on the night, Morena’s low cross into the penalty area was met by the attacker who netted the easiest goal of the night.
As the second-half got underway, Sundowns continued where they left off and immediately went on the attack. Again, it appeared as though Downs looked comfortable enough to play on the counter attack and looked to capitalise in transition situations.
With an hour of football played, Downs surrendered some of their ball possession with the Team of Choice beginning to stroke the ball around in an attempt to change their fortunes.
In managing the game well soon thereafter, Sundowns scored their fourth of the night in the 67th minute, as Domingo latched onto a fluid passing move inside the area to score his second on the night.
With four goals to the good, Downs showed no signs of slowing down and scored their 5th on the night with 15 minutes to go. As Domingo led the forward play, the midfielder put Mailula through on goal as the youngster showed a great deal of composure to round the Maritzburg goalkeeper inside the six-yard area.
While the game reached its concluding phase, Sundowns had Martizburg ball chasing inside their own half and stroked the ball around with consummate ease. Kicking into game management mode, the Brazilians saw out the game as the dominant outfit, recording an impressive 5-0 away victory.
Maritzburg United: (0) 0
Mamelodi Sundowns: (3) 5 (Domingo 26’ 67, Morena 28’ Mailula 45’ 75’ )
Maritzburg: Derick, Makume, Ritchie, Moloisane, Graham (Kimvuidi 46’) , van Der Ross, Mashikinya, Monamodi (Ndengane 46’), Palace (Human 31’), Samu (Conco 60’), Macheke (Njoti 60’)
Sundowns: Williams, Morena, Lebusa (Mudau 79’), De Reuck (Mvala 57’), Kekana, Mokoena (Jali 79’), Mkhulise (Ralani 57’), Maema, Domingo, Mailula, Allende (Maboe 70.